Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i (called Canon 500D in some regions) and the Nikon D3300 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively,
in March 2009 and January 2014. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 15.1 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their sensors, their features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

The physical size and weight of the Canon T1i and the Nikon D3300 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Nikon D3300 is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Canon T1i. Moreover, the D3300 is markedly lighter (17 percent) than the T1i. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T1i nor the D3300 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft.
You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (T1i) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3300).

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left
comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D3300 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 38 percent) than the T1i, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors
differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D3300 is 11 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (T1i) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 24MP, the D3300 offers a higher
resolution than the T1i (15.1MP), but the D3300 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of
3.91μm versus 4.69μm for the T1i). Yet, the D3300 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 9 months) than the T1i, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D3300 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3300 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600..

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the D3300 offers substantially better image quality than the T1i (overall score 19 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.6 bits higher color depth, 1.3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Canon T1i»

APS-C

15.1

4752

3168

1080/20p

21.7

11.5

663

63

Canon T1i

Nikon D3300«

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.3

12.8

1385

82

Nikon D3300

Canon T6i«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

22.7

12.0

919

71

Canon T6i

Canon T6s«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/30p

22.6

12.0

915

70

Canon T6s

Canon T5«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.9

11.3

724

63

Canon T5

Canon T5i«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.7

11.2

681

61

Canon T5i

Canon T4i«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.7

11.2

722

62

Canon T4i

Canon T3i«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

22.1

11.5

793

65

Canon T3i

Canon T2i«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

22.1

11.5

784

66

Canon T2i

Canon XSi«»

APS-C

12.2

4272

2848

-

21.9

10.8

692

61

Canon XSi

Canon XTi«»

APS-C

10.1

3888

2592

-

22.1

11.0

664

62

Canon XTi

Canon XT«»

APS-C

8.0

3456

2304

-

21.8

10.8

637

60

Canon XT

Nikon D5600«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.1

14.0

1306

84

Nikon D5600

Nikon D3400«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.8

13.9

1192

86

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.1

14.0

1438

84

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5300«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.0

13.9

1338

83

Nikon D5300

Nikon D3200«»

APS-C

24.1

6016

4000

1080/30p

24.1

13.2

1131

81

Nikon D3200

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the D3300 provides a faster frame rate than the T1i. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/20p.

Feature comparison: Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The T1i and the D3300 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder.
The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon T1i and Nikon D3300 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Shutter speed (1/sec)

Shutter flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Canon T1i»

optical

n

3.0

920

fixed

n

4000

3.4

Y

n

Canon T1i

Nikon D3300«

optical

n

3.0

921

fixed

n

4000

5.0

Y

n

Nikon D3300

Canon T6i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Canon T6i

Canon T6s«»

optical

Y

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Canon T6s

Canon T5«»

optical

n

3.0

460

fixed

n

4000

3.0

Y

n

Canon T5

Canon T5i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Canon T5i

Canon T4i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Canon T4i

Canon T3i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

swivel

n

4000

3.7

Y

n

Canon T3i

Canon T2i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

fixed

n

4000

3.7

Y

n

Canon T2i

Canon XSi«»

optical

n

3.0

230

fixed

n

4000

3.5

Y

n

Canon XSi

Canon XTi«»

optical

n

2.5

230

fixed

n

4000

3.0

Y

n

Canon XTi

Canon XT«»

optical

n

1.8

115

fixed

n

4000

3.0

Y

n

Canon XT

Nikon D5600«»

optical

n

3.2

1037

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Nikon D5600

Nikon D3400«»

optical

n

3.0

921

fixed

n

4000

5.0

Y

n

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500«»

optical

n

3.2

1037

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5300«»

optical

n

3.2

1037

swivel

n

4000

5.0

Y

n

Nikon D5300

Nikon D3200«»

optical

n

3.0

921

fixed

n

4000

4.0

Y

n

Nikon D3200

The T1i writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the D3300 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison: Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T1i and Nikon D3300 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Type

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Canon T1i»

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T1i

Nikon D3300«

Y

mono

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D3300

Canon T6i«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon T6i

Canon T6s«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon T6s

Canon T5«»

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T5

Canon T5i«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T5i

Canon T4i«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T4i

Canon T3i«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T3i

Canon T2i«»

Y

stereo

-

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T2i

Canon XSi«»

Y

-

-

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon XSi

Canon XTi«»

Y

-

-

-

-

-

2.0

-

-

-

Canon XTi

Canon XT«»

Y

-

-

-

-

-

2.0

-

-

-

Canon XT

Nikon D5600«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

Y

Nikon D5600

Nikon D3400«»

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

Y

-

Y

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

-

-

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5300«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

-

-

Nikon D5300

Nikon D3200«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D3200

It is notable that the D3300 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings
by attaching an external microphone. The T1i does not feature such a mic input.

Both the T1i and the D3300 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used
on eBay. The T1i was replaced by the Canon T2i, while the D3300 was followed by the Nikon D3400.

Review summary: Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon T1i and the Nikon D3300? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T1i:

Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.

More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in March 2009).

Advantages of the Nikon D3300:

More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 15.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 26%.

Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.

Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 90g or 17 percent) and is thus easier to take along.

Longer lasting: Gets more shots (700 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.

More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (38 percent cheaper at launch).

More modern: Reflects 4 years and 9 months of technical progress since the T1i launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D3300 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera.

T1i 02:13 D3300

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the T1i or the D3300 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews: Canon T1i vs Nikon D3300

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The full reviews are available by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

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